Victim talks to police about post-Nines assault

A man left fighting for his life with severe head injuries
after an assault at a party following the Auckland Nines is
awake and has spoken to police.

The 23-year-old was taken to hospital critically ill after he
was attacked at a Bellwood Ave, Mt Eden, property about
8.15pm on Saturday.

He had been at the Nines with his brother, and the pair had
gone to the party near Eden Park after the tournament. An
off-duty police officer was also a guest at the party but was
not involved in the fracas.

Police revealed last night the 23-year-old's condition had
improved dramatically.

"He's awake and has spoken with medical staff, his family and
police investigating the circumstances of his assault," said
spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty.

"Officers believe they've identified all partygoers and have
taken statements off several but not all of them. The group
of up to 50 invited guests or residents present ... are
employed by a range of organisations in a range of
occupations."

Ms Hegarty said no arrests had been made yet.

The New Zealand Herald has learned the assault may
have been recorded, and police want to speak to anyone who
has footage.

A woman working at Eden Park on Saturday finished her shift
and went outside to wait for her ride home. "I heard the
fight break out and walked down to see what was happening,"
she said. "There was a boy there who had worked in the same
unit as me ... He was standing there recording it on his
mobile phone."

The victim's family were not ready to speak about the assault
yesterday.